Switch for overhead tracks



F. C. HARRIS SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TRACKS Filed March 18, 1926 liil cntar Frank GJiZzrr 2y Patented (let. 5, 1926.

FRANK o. HARRIS. or isnrerrron, trassacnnsnrrs, Assrenon TO THE AMERICAN mononan; comrnnxor CLEVELAND, OHIO, A conronarron or OHIO.

S'WITCH FOR OVERHEAD TRACKS.

Application filed March 18, 1926. Serial No. 95,580.

This invention relates to switches for overhead trackageand has for its object the.

production of a switch wholly supported from above and adapted, when operated, to reduce the angle ot deflection between the main track and a side track with which said switch may connect. V

This object is attained bythe mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention one preferred form thereof is illustrated in the drawings, this form havmg been found to give satisfactory andreliable results, although itis to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists canbe variously arranged and. organized, and the invention is notlimited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described except as required by the scope of the appended claims. I

Of the drawings Figure 1 represents a plan of a main track and side track and a switch embodying the principles of the present invention and adapted for movement 'trom its main track position to a position connecting with the side track, and

F igure 2 represents a side elevation of, the same. p

Similar characters indicate like parts throughout the severalfigures of the drawings.

In the drawings 10, is a supportin the form of a flat plate which may be fixedly secured to any suitable framework.

At one end of this support 10 is secured a depending bracket- 11 the lower edge of. which has secured thereto a section 12. of the main track provided with outwardly extending flanges 13 on which the trolley wheels run.

One edge of the bracket 11 is provided with a-recess 14: in which is disposeda vertical pivot pin 15,the axis of which is immediately over the end of the track section 12.

The pin 15 extends through ears 16 on:one

end of a connector 17, said cars 16 projecting into the recess-.14, the bracket ear 18 Forming hector 17.

Theopposite end of theconnector :17 has similar ears 19 extendinginto-.aQrecess 20 in movable or swinging member which a supporttor the end of the .con-

provided with a pivotpin'22 extendlng through the ears 19.

An ear 23 on the member 21 forms a support forthe adjacent end of the connector 17. v I v v a This connector 17 has depending .there from a track section 24, the ends otwhich are beneath the axesot pivot pins 15, 22.

I At a point midway of the pivot pins 15,, v

22 and above the connector 17, thegsupport 10 has a downwardly extending pin 25 extending through a slot 26 in theend 27 of the swinging member 21.

'Tliis end 27 is supportedby the nut 28 andi lock 'nut'29, both threaded to the lower end of pin 25.

The free end of the member 21 is provided with an outwardly extending fia-nge 30' which rests upon shelves 31 formed upon blocks 32 depending from and secured to the support '10 side by side. a

Theflange 30 has an opening therethrough through which extends a locking bolt 33,

the outer end of which is wedge-shapediand section 37.

r The bolt 33 has a shank extending through a rib 39 projecting upwardly from the member 21 and surrounding this shank is a spring 38 adapted to force the bolt 33 outwardly.

The projecting end 40 ot the shank 38is wedge-shape as shown'in Fig. 1.

The bolt has a wedge-shaped projection 4-1 on its upper face and on opposite At 43 is secured a cable or cord 44 which extends in opposite directions between-the wedge-shaped projection 41 and the roll- 'ers 42.

By. means ,of

he ra kee' tien 3 er said em er 2 i -r- .this Cable v t4: the ot the bolt "33 maybe withdra'wr from the, notch sides thereof th e support 10 has revoiuloiy vmounted thereon "the rollers d2.

be moved in the opposite direction to bring it again into alinement with the main track 12, 35.

In the path of the bolt 33 is a wedge shaped block 45 secured to the under face of the support 10.

When the bolt 33 is withdrawn the wedge end 40 thereof comes into contact with this block 45 and moves along one side face thereof.

Any strain brought to bear upon the block 45 at this time is partially sustained by the angle iron 46 secured to the under face of the support 10.

When the switch is in the position shown in the drawings the track sections 12, 24, 37 and 35 of the main line are all in alinement, that is, are in coacting or connecting position with respect to each other.

When the member 21 is moved about its pivot 25 so that its free end will be in position for the track section 37 to coact with track section 36, its center will be on line 50 and the pin 22 will be moved to the point 51, thereby moving the connector 17 and its track section 24 to the line 52, said connector 17 moving about the pivot 15.

In doing this the member 21 will move endwise to the right until the end of the slot 26 engages the pin 25, said slot 26 being necessarily slightly elongated as the distance between the axis of pin 25 and the point 51 is slightly greater than the distance between the axes of the pins 25, 22.

By providing the connector 17 the angles between the track sections 12, 24 and 24, 37 are greatly reduced in comparison with the angle which the track sections would assume when no connector 17 is used.

This is of great importance as by thus reducing the angles the trolley wheels move more freely over the track sections.

The cable or cord 44 extends in opposite directions from the bolt 33 to any suitable point in reach of the operator and a pull upon either end thereof will disengage the bolt 33 from the notch 34 and permit the member 21 to be moved about its pivot 25 and the connector 17 about its pivot 15.

The withdrawal movement of the bolt 33- is limited by the projection 41 coming into contact with the shoulders 53 on the rib 39.

As the bolt 33 is withdrawn from the notch 34'the member 21 will be swung about its pivot 25 bringing the wedge-shaped end 40 out of alinement with the tapered end of the fixed block 45 and the continuation of the withdrawal movement will cause one side face of the end 40 to ride along one inclined face of said block 45.

These two faces will be in contact when the bolt 33 is fully withdrawn.

If. under these conditions the cable 44 is pulled in the opposite direction the inclined contacting faces of the end 40 and block 45 will cause a positive end thrust to be given to the bolt 33 so that its end will be forced into a notch 34 as soon as it comes into alinement therewith.

When the end of bolt 33 has entered the notch 34 the spring 38*. will retain it in said notch until the operator again withdraws it by pulling upon the cable 44.

It will be seen, therefore, that dependence is not placed upon the spring 38 to force the bolt 33 into locking position in the notches 34 but means are provided whereby this locking action of the bolt 33 is positively assured.

This is of great advantage as no opportunity is given for the member 21 to be swung about its pivot from one position without positively locking it in the new position it is to'assume.

It is believed that the operation and many advantages of the invention will be readily understood without further description.

vHaving thus described my invention, I claim 1. A switch for overhead trackage comprising a fixed support, a bracket and two blocks depending therefrom and supporting the main track and a side track, and means supported from above and composed of two sections pivoted together adapted to be moved about a pivot at one end so that the opposite end will connect with either the main track or the side track supported by said blocks.

2. A switch for overhead trackage comprising a fixed support, a bracket and two blocks depending therefrom and supporting two sections of the main track and a side track, and means supported from above and composed of two sections pivoted together adapted to connect always with one section of main track with its opposite end connect mg with either the other section of main track or the end of a side track.

. 3. A switch for overhead trackage comprising a fixed support, a bracket depending therefrom and provided with a pivot pin, two blocks side by side also depending from said support and supporting a section of the main track and a side track, another section of the main track being supported by the bracket, a member pivoted beneath said support and adapted to be moved about its pivot to cause its free end to connect with either track supported by said blocks, said member having a track section depending therefrom and being provided with a pivot pin, and aconnector on said pivot pins having a track section depending therefrom.

4. A switch for overhead trackage comprising a fixed support, two separated sections of main track and a section of side track beneath, and depending from said support, a swinging member having .a track section depending therefrom and pivotally connected to said support'and movable about its pivot to 'connect with .a main track section or'sa-idsection o'fside track, andla connector supporting. ,a track section and pivotally connected at opposite ends 'tosaid swinging member andone of the main'track sections.

5. A switch for overhead trackageconr j prising a fixed support, two separated sections of main track and a section of side track 'beneathand depending from said'support, a swingingmember pivotally connected to said support and movable abou't'its pivot to connect a track sectiondepending therefrom with themain track section or'said section of side track, and a connector sup-' porting .a track-section and pivotally connected at opposite ends to said swinging member and one of the main-track sections said pivotal connectors being equi-distant from the pivot of said movable'member.

*6. A switch for overhead trackage comprising affixed support, a bracket depending therefrom, two blocks alsodepending from said support provided with shelves, tracks supported by said bracket and blocks, a

-movable'mem'ber pivoted at one end to said support and providedat'its opposite end with a flange resting upon said shelves, a track section secured to said movable member, a connector pivoted at opposite ends to said bracket and movable "member, and a track section secured to Stud connector.

7. A switch for overhead trackage comprising a fixed support, a bracket depending therefrom, two blocks also depending from said support, tracks supportedby said "bracket and blocks, a movable member pivoted at one end'to said support and provided .at the opposite end with a locking bolt adapted to engage notches in said blocks, a track section secured to said movable member, a connector pivoted at oppositeends to said bracket and movablemember, and a track sectlon secured to said connector.

8. Aswitch for overhead trackage comprising a fixed support, a bracket depending therefrom, two blocks also depending from said support, tracks supported by said bracket and blocks, a movable member pivoted at one end to said support and provided at the opposite end with a spring prising a fixed support, a lbrac'ketudepend' -ing therefrom, two blocks also depending from :said support, tracks supported by said bracket and blocks, a; movable member pivotedat 'one endtosaid support and provided at the opposite end with a locking bolt adapted Y to engage notches-in said blocks, a track section secured to said movable member, a

connector pivoted at opposite ends to said bracket and movable member, a'tracksect-ion secured to said connector; and means carried by said movable member for withdrawmg the locking'bolt. I

10. A switch for overhead trackage comprising a fixed support, a bracket depending therefrom, two blocks .also'depending from I saidsupport, tracks supported by said bracket and blocks, a movable member pivoted .at oneend to said-support and provided at the opposite end with a locking 'bolt adapted to engage notches in said blocks,"

a track sectionsecured to 'sai'd'movable memher, a "connector plvoted at opposite ends to said bracket'and movable member, a track section secured tosaid connector; and a cable secured to said bolt and extendingtherefrom' in opposite directions around rollers carried by said movable member.

11. A 'SWllZCh foroverh'ead trackage comprising a fixed support, a bracket depending therefrom, two blocks also depending from said support, tracks supported by said brackets and blocks, a movable member pivoted at-one end to said'support and providedat the opposite'end-with alocki'ng bolt adapted toengage notches in said blocks, a track I section secured'to said movable member, a connector p voted at opposite ends to send brack'ettand movable member, a track section secured to said connector, a spring surrounding said locking bolt and forcing it outwardly, said bolt being wedge-shaped at its inner end, and a wedgeshaped block secured to a "fiXGd support in the path of said locking bolt. I

'12. A switch for overhead trackage comprising a'fixed'support, a bracket depending therefrom, two blocks also depending brackets and blocks, amovable member pivoted at one endto said-support'and providfed at the opposite end with a locking bolt adapted'to engage'notches in said blocks, a

track-section secured'to said movablem'ember, a'connector plvo-ted at opposite ends'to said bracket and movable member,'a track section secured to said connector, 'a spring iandlextendingrin'opposite directionsbetween saidv-proj ection' and said rollers.

1 3. A switch i for overhead trackage comprising twofsections of track normally interposed between separated "sections of the "main tr'a'cka'nd adapted'to begmoved toconnect {one --'sectio n of themam track with a --side *tra'e'k, zs'aid :two sections being supp rte from a ove and hav ng ngu r m e 'from said support,'trac'ks supportedby said surroundingsaid locking bolt and forcing fit outwardly, :said bolt having a wedge- :shap'ed projection Jon'its upper side, rollers 1 'revolubly'rnountedon the under 'face'of said support, and a cable secured to said bolt his Hit) 7 ment relatively to each other when moved into position to connect with the side track. 14. A switch for overhead trackage comprising two sections of track normally interposed between separated portions of the main track and. adapted to be moved to connect one portion of the main track with a side track, said sections being supported from above and pivoted together with one section also pivoted to a main track portion and the other section also pivoted to an overhead support at a point substantially midway of the length of the first mentioned section.

15. A switch for overhead traclrage comprising two sections of track normally interposed between separated portions of the main track and adapted to be moved to connect one portion of the main track with a side track, said sections being supported from above and pivoted together with one section also pivoted to a main track portion and the other section also to an overhead support at a point substantially midway of the length of the first mentioned section, and means can ried by the last mentioned sect-ion adapted for locking it to either the other port on o1 main track or said side track.

16. A switch for overhead trackage comprising two sections of track normally inter posed between separated portions of the main track and adapted to be moved to connect one portion of the main track with a side track, said sections being supported from above and pivoted together with onev section also pivoted to a main track portion and the other section also pivoted to an overhead support at a point substantially midway of the length of the first mentioned section, and a locking bolt carried by the last mentioned section and adapted to engage a notch in either the side track or the adjacent portion of the main track.

17. A switch for overhead trackage comprising two sections of track normally interposed bet-ween separated portions of the. main track and adapted to be moved to connect one portion of the main track with a side track, said sections being supported from above and pivoted together with one section also pivoted to a main track portion and the other section also pivoted to an overhead support at a point substantially midway of the length of the first mentioned section, a locking bolt carried by the last mentioned section and adapted to engage a notch in either the side track or the adjacent portion of the main track, and fixed means :tor imparting a thrust to said bolt during tl e swinging movement of said sections to insure its insertion 1n one of said notches.

18. A switch for overhead trackage composed between separated portions of. the main track and adapted to be moved to connect one portion of the main track with a side track, said sections being supported from above and pivoted together with onesection also pivoted to a main track portion and the other section also pivoted to an overhead support at a point substantially midway of the length of the first mentioned section, a locking boltcarried by the last mentioned section and adapted to engage a notch in either the side track or the adjacent portion of the main track, and a cable secured to said bolt and extending in opposite directions therefrom and by which the bolt may be disengaged from a notch and said sections moved about their pivot.

'19. A switch for overhead trackage com prising a fined support, two separated sectionsot main track and a side track in the same horizontal plane, a swinging member having a track section depending therefrom and pivotally connected to said support and n'iovable about its pivot to coact in continuation with a main track or side track, and a connector supporting a track section and pivotally connected at opposite ends to said swinging member and one of the main track sections.

20. A switch for overhead trackage com prising a plurality of sections of track normally interposed between separated sections of the main track and adapted to be moved to connect one section of the main traclrwith aside track, said plurality of sections being supported from aboveand having angular movement relatively to each other when moved into position to coact with the side track.

21. A switch for suspended trackage comprising a fixed support, a main track at one side of the support and another main track and a side track at the other side of the sup sort, movable track sections interposed. between and adapted to coact with the first said main track and either of the second said main track or side track, and jointed means supported from the fined support and carrying and movable with the movable track sections. I

522. A switch for suspended trackage comprising a. support, a plurality of track sections therebeneath and interposed between separated sections of a main track and mov able to coact with one section of a main track and with either another section thereof or with a side track, and movable means jointedly connected together and carried by the said support for carrying the said movable track sections.

Signed by me at idfi Old South Bldg, Boston, Mass, this 15th day of March, 1956.

FRANK C. HARRIS 

